A Bible study on pride versus humility from James 4:6-17
Pride versus humility
James 4:6-17
But he gives us more grace. That is why Scripture says: “God opposes the proud but shows favor to the humble.”
Submit, humble and draw close to God
Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. 8 Come near to God and he will come near to you. Wash your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded. 9 Grieve, mourn and wail. Change your laughter to mourning and your joy to gloom. 10 Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up.- James 4:7-19
When you humble yourself before The Lord, He shows you favour. Take a moment to humble yourself before. Know that He is God, and we are His humble servants.
You are being prideful when you are judge
11 Brothers and sisters, do not slander one another. Anyone who speaks against a brother or sister[d] or judges them speaks against the law and judges it. When you judge the law, you are not keeping it, but sitting in judgment on it. 12 There is only one Lawgiver and Judge, the one who is able to save and destroy. But you—who are you to judge your neighbor? - James 4:11-12
When you think that you have the right to judge someone you are being prideful because only God has the authority to judge.
You are being prideful when you boast in your own efforts and plans
Boasting About Tomorrow
13 Now listen, you who say, “Today or tomorrow we will go to this or that city, spend a year there, carry on business and make money.” 14 Why, you do not even know what will happen tomorrow. What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes. 15 Instead, you ought to say, “If it is the Lord’s will, we will live and do this or that.”16 As it is, you boast in your arrogant schemes. All such boasting is evil.17 If anyone, then, knows the good they ought to do and doesn’t do it, it is sin for them. - James 4:13-17
We are being prideful when we think that we have complete control over our lives and futures. Only God has the control and authority. Acknowledge that God is God and that He is in control.
You are being prideful when you are selfish and self-indulgent
Warning to rich oppressors
Now listen, you rich people, weep and wail because of the misery that is coming on you. 2 Your wealth has rotted, and moths have eaten your clothes. 3 Your gold and silver are corroded. Their corrosion will testify against you and eat your flesh like fire. You have hoarded wealth in the last days. 4 Look! The wages you failed to pay the workers who mowed your fields are crying out against you. The cries of the harvesters have reached the ears of the Lord Almighty. 5 You have lived on earth in luxury and self-indulgence. You have fattened yourselves in the day of slaughter.[a] 6 You have condemned and murdered the innocent one, who was not opposing you. - James 5:1-6
We are being prideful when we only look after ourselves at the expense of others. Take time to ask God for forgiveness for all the times we may have done this in our lives. God is a gracious Father, who forgives and and shows us mercy.
Humility = fear of The Lord
The way to humility is to have a reverend fear of The Lord. "Humility is not thinking less of ourselves, but thinking about ourselves less" - unknown.
Other scripture about humility:
Humility is the fear of the Lord; its wages are riches and honor and life.
Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love.
Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves.
When pride comes, then comes disgrace, but with humility comes wisdom.
Live in harmony with one another. Do not be proud, but be willing to associate with people of low position. Do not be conceited.
Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up.
Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience.
Pride brings a person low, but the lowly in spirit gain honor.
If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land.
Who is wise and understanding among you? Let them show it by their good life, by deeds done in the humility that comes from wisdom.
Before a downfall the heart is haughty, but humility comes before honor.
Finally, all of you, be like-minded, be sympathetic, love one another, be compassionate and humble.
Sitting down, Jesus called the Twelve and said, “Anyone who wants to be first must be the very last, and the servant of all.”
God chose the lowly things of this world and the despised things—and the things that are not—to nullify the things that are, so that no one may boast before him.
He has shown you, O mortal, what is good. And what does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God.
Wisdom’s instruction is to fear the Lord, and humility comes before honor.
Good and upright is the Lord; therefore he instructs sinners in his ways. He guides the humble in what is right and teaches them his way.
You, my brothers and sisters, were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge the flesh; rather, serve one another humbly in love.
He must become greater; I must become less.
Come, let us bow down in worship, let us kneel before the Lord our Maker.
The Lord sends poverty and wealth; he humbles and he exalts.
So, as those who have been chosen of God, holy and beloved, put on a heart of compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience;
"He has brought down rulers from their thrones, And has exalted those who were humble.
Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you at the proper time,
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